4.9 Water and Mositure Control in Clarksville Crawl Space
Challenge
A landlord in Clarksville Tennesse was in between tenants. He used this time to have an inspection done on the home. He had noticed soft spots on the floor and had already had wood replaced before. He knew the crawl space had leaks and was looking for more information and permanent solutions. Maintenance on the home is part of extending the life of the property but also caring for the future tenants.
The inspection did find standing water in the crawl space, heavily soiled insulation, mold, mildew, and wood rot. These conditions were pretty hostile to the home and had caused significant damage to the main supporting beam and floor joist.
Solution
1. TripleSafe Single pump system installed in front, right corner of the property; as indicated on job diagram. A 1/3 HP cast iron Zoeller M53 Sump Pump with a mechanical float switch will sit on top of a clean pump stand and will be installed into a below-grade perforated TripleSafe sump liner. A discharge line will be installed and will run to the exterior. Finally, an airtight lid with WaterWatch Alarm will be installed to prevent moisture from escaping from the sump pump liner and alert the homeowner in the event of pump failure and/or power outage.
2. Install IceGuard in the discharge line outside the foundation wall as indicated in job diagram. This will assure functionality of discharge line in the event freezing or blockage of the discharge line should occur.
3. Install LawnScape Outlet/Well to disperse water at end of sump pump discharge line or downspout extension.
4. Remove Debris from crawl space. Remove and discard up to 1,000 square feet of any
materials left on the ground inside of the crawl space.
5. Electrical outlets installed as indicated on the drawing. The first will be a dedicated
circuit with one duplex receptacle (must be within 50 feet wire length of breaker box) for the use of the Single Sump Pump. The 2nd unit will be another duplex receptacle (within 50 feet of the first) on the same circuit. The third unit will be a duplex receptacle on a 2nd dedicated circuit (within 50 feet of the breaker box).
6. All joists and beams are 2 x 8's. There are 5 joists on the back side of the house needing to be sistered; starting at the left side of the house, joist 1, 3, 4, 5. 6 and one additional joist which was visible from the front side of house but due to insulation and debris, the joist exact location was not noted. Many joists on the front side of the house are rotted, it is necessary to sister these joists while removing the main beam.
7. Temporary Shoring in the area indicated on the drawing. Temporary Shoring removed once a permanent solution is in place.
8. Remove and dispose of all insulation in the floor joists and on the crawlspace floor.
9. Shore up the house and remove the rotted Main Beam starting at the left
side of the house and ending the new beam on top of the 2nd pier from the right side of the house.
10. Install PolyLevel into the driveway concrete slab that is directly contacting the house. This slab sank toward the house several inches, channeling rainwater towards the crawlspace adding to the moisture in this area.
If you are worried about the safety of your home or rental property, let us help you. Moldy and mildew smells, soft spots on the floor are all important signs to pay attention to. The inspection is free. Our inspectors will thoroughly check your home for your concerns, take pictures, sit down and answer any questions you have.
